Ensembles • Sessions

at Waltons New School of Music

Ensembles • Sessions

Waltons New School of Music

Ensembles

Ensemble playing (and singing) is an essential – though often neglected – part of any musical education, and New School ensemble and choir members, under the direction of dedicated and experienced teachers/coaches, enjoy the unique pleasures of group music-making through weekly rehearsals and regular performances of a varied repertoire. We aim not only to make some great music, rehearsed to public performance standard, but to have a lot of fun in doing so! Our ensembles are open to both New School and external music students. (Students concurrently enrolled for private or group tuition at the school receive a 20% discount off ensemble fees.)

Sessions

Taking place once a month on Friday evenings, our Trad Slow Sessions are a great way to experience group music making on a more casual basis.

Great tuition! Have been taking trad flute lessons here for the last year and my instructor has brought me on by leaps and bounds. The Friday Trad Slow Sessions are an excellent way to learn new tunes.

C. Boylan

Dedicated and excellent choir director/tutor. [Sing Your Heart Out Choir]

S. McBride

Melanie’s Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble inspires confidence even in the most hesitant singer. I learned lots about the jazz/swing era and its music at this class – and all in a relaxed atmosphere. Very enjoyable.

M. Bourke

The String Ensemble at Waltons is not only a great opportunity to apply what you’ve learned about your instrument but a lot of fun as well!

J. Sheehy

I really liked the interaction with others and with the teacher. Amazing. [Jazz Ensemble I]

M. Mandrelle

I have really enjoyed my time with the [Sing Your Heart Out Choir] and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in choral singing.

J. Sullivan

Fun, challenging…with lots of good singing. The choir has improved my confidence, and I’m always in a good mood when the class is over. Cathy great! [Sing Your Heart Out Choir]

S. Macken

I have thoroughly enjoyed my two terms of the Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble. I feel not only that I’m part of a group of kindred spirits but also that I’m individually encouraged and supported. Additionally, a wide repertoire of songs is covered, with both personal and group favourites considered. During the COVID-19 crisis, every technological step has been taken to ensure that the term progresses well online, and for this I am very grateful. I would highly recommend this ensemble all year round!

S. Smyth

The wonderful teacher, very supportive and patient, made for a very enjoyable experience. There was a lovely sense of camaraderie in the group learning and playing together. [Flute Ensemble]

S. Coyne

Cathy is a fantastic and supportive instructor. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it! [Sing Your Heart Out Choir]

O. Dempsey

I absolutely love the Friday Trad Slow Sessions. Would love to see more of them! [mandolin student]

K. Hnyk

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble with Melanie. She is a brilliant teacher and made the classes very enjoyable and educational. Her song choices were fantastic, and we learned to sing in some wonderful three-part harmonies. Many thanks!

T. O'Grady-Peyton
[Jazz Ensemble III] is both challenging and a lot of fun, and the teacher is excellent.

S. Walsh

Great introduction to playing in an ensemble! [Jazz Ensemble I]

B. Byrne

I have been attending Waltons New School of Music for the past year, and it’s safe to say that I have run out of superlatives when it comes to the place. My own personal experience has been truly amazing from day one.
   Firstly, you meet the people in the office, who couldn’t be more welcoming, helpful, and patiently informant. They do what I believe is a tough job very, very well.
   I am learning traditional guitar with John Sweeney, and I’d like to take this opportunity to tell anyone thinking about joining up or getting started that this man has a gift, and I have to thank him on a regular basis for not keeping this wonderful gift to himself. He is unbelievably patient, is superbly knowledgeable about music and is just so down to earth and makes the lesson so enjoyable. You can see from him that he clearly loves his job, as he gets the same joy that the student does when things start to come together.
   I also attend the Trad Slow Sessions on Friday evenings, and these too are excellent.
   I would highly recommend Waltons New School of Music to anyone that is interested in taking up an instrument as I feel that you’re in good hands, you’re getting value for your money (they even have a discount for parking your car in Dury Street Carpark) and you will ultimately come out of there a far better musician than when you went in.

J. Kavanagh

The teacher’s enthusiasm and patience, and sensitivity to the varied standards of playing within the group, allows everyone to reach a satisfying standard of music making. A great opportunity to experience ensemble music making where the whole becomes greater than the parts! [Flute Ensemble]

J. Dillon

A lot of fun and a great stress release. [Sing Your Heart Out Choir]

C. Kennedy

I love everything about the Sing Your Heart Out Choir – the cameraderie, the songs, the fabulous director and the uplift I get every Thursday evening! All I can say that if you haven’t sung in a choir like this one, you don’t know what you’re missing!

C. Wylie

I am a happy member of the Sing Your Heart Out Choir, [and] I would like to assert that Cathy McEvoy is an exceptional teacher, musician and human being. We are all very privileged to benefit from her amazing talent, patience and spirit. Our Thursday evenings are truly a delight and a wonderful learning experience.

P.J. Crawley

Melanie’s Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble is very enjoyable for anyone who likes jazz and swing. The structure of the class gives you a chance to learn and understand the basics and then work further on the songs. Highly recommended!

D. Lafon

I liked everything about [Jazz Ensemble II]. The relaxed atmosphere was conducive to learning. But most of all, Dave is a great teacher and his dedication shows.

M. Murphy

Melanie is a very talented teacher, and her [Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble] classes are a joy. She has a natural flair for communicating her extensive knowledge of jazz and swing music with infectious enthusiasm and fun. There was a lovely dynamic in our group, and we all learned to sing great songs with impressive rhythm and harmony.

G. Hynes

Participating in the Jazz Ensemble has been an absolute joy. Dave is such an encouraging and supportive teacher, and I feel that I’ve really come to grips with how jazz ‘works’.

R. Phelan

The monthly Trad Slow Sessions are a great idea! I’ve been to lots of them and have really enjoyed learning new tunes with others in a relaxed environment. I particularly like the fact that the sessions are supervised by very experienced trad musicians and teachers who are so helpful and patient. I’d recommend the sessions to everyone learning to play a trad instrument.

P. Wagner

Waltons New School of Music offers great variety in terms of instruments taught and courses offered. Every level/ability is catered for, and my teacher was very accommodating to my standard and choice of music. As someone who took up an instrument late in life, the Trad Slow Sessions are wonderful and provide a great opportunity to play in a relaxed environment with people of similar standard.

J. Ryan

Melanie’s Sing & Swing Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a weekend highlight! During these online ‘Zoom’ times, Melanie has kept it fun and focused with individual tuition, blended with jazz history and a wide repertoire of songs.

E. Kelly

Dave is an amazing teacher – the best I’ve ever had. He is extremely patient and passionate about what he is doing, and he is really good at motivating people. [Jazz Ensemble II student]

I. Rakar

I really enjoyed Cathy’s humour and patient manner. [Sing Your Heart Out Choir]

E. Bermingham

If you’re learning a string instrument and haven’t been in an ensemble like this one [String Ensemble], then all I can say is go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

M. Quigley

The pages in this section of our website include information on all of our current ensembles and the Trad Slow Sessions. Click on the images below to access them.

Pages
Flute Ensemble
Jazz Ensembles
Jazz Ensembles
Rig-a-Jig
Rig-a-Jig
Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Sing & Swing Jazz Vocal Ensemble
Sing Your Heart Out Choir
Sing Your Heart Out Choir
String Ensemble
String Ensemble
Ukulele Ensemble
Ukulele Ensemble
Trad Slow Sessions
Trad Slow Sessions
Ensembles • Sessions

‘If we were all determined to play the first violin we should never have an ensemble. Therefore, respect every musician in his proper place.’
– Robert Schumann

‘I enjoy being part of an ensemble rather than just a front man. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy that too, but I get more enjoyment out of really listening to everyone.’
– Damon Albarn

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